1
Joint Publication 1-02. DoD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, Apr. 12, 2001.
2
For discussion of stand-off jamming and electronic warfare, see CRS Report RL30639.
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Order Code RS21141
Updated May 11, 2005
Military Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses
(SEAD): Assessing Future Needs
Christopher Bolkcom
Specialist in National Defense
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
Summary
Suppressing enemy air defenses (SEAD) has been a central element of projecting
military air power for over 50 years. However, several developments suggest that this
mission is of growing importance to the Department of Defense (DOD). Some say that
the emergence of new technologies and air defenses will increasingly challenge U.S.
SEAD efforts. Making budgetary judgments on SEAD programs and processes requires
the assessment of complex factors. This report will be updated.
Introduction
Suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) is defined by the Department of Defense
(DOD) as “That activity that neutralizes, destroys, or temporarily degrades surface-based
enemy air defenses by destructive and/or disruptive means.”
1
By this definition, many
military platforms, munitions, and processes contribute to SEAD, including
reconnaissance and surveillance, stand-off jamming, employment of air-to-surface
munitions, and electronic and infrared (IR) countermeasures.
2
A variety of weapons platforms and munitions can and have been used to attack
enemy air defenses, including long range bombers, helicopters, surface-to-surface
missiles, precision guided munitions (PGMs), rockets, and “dumb bombs.” However,
some combat aircraft have been designed or modified to increase their effectiveness
against enemy air defenses and are typically thought of as SEAD assets. These include
the F-16, EA-6B, F/A-18 and F-15E. These aircraft carry a number of munitions useful
against surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). Some carry the AGM-88 High Speed Anti
Radiation Missile (HARM) which is designed to lock-on to and destroy the ground-based
radars used by some SAMs and anti-aircraft artillery (AAA). Also, the HARM Targeting
System (HTS) and the Tactical Electronic Reconnaissance Processing and Evaluation
